Aphid transmissibility of different European beet polerovirus isolates

Different field isolates of the ‘beet poleroviruses’ Beet mild yellowing virus (BMYV) and Beet chlorosis virus (BChV) (genus Polerovirus, family Luteoviridae) collected in France and Poland were evaluated for transmissibility from and to sugar beet plants by different aphid species. In general, both BMYV and BChV were efficiently transmitted by Myzus persicae and by a French clone of Macrosiphum euphorbiae. In contrast, transmissibility of the two poleroviruses by an English clone of M. euphorbiae was evidently weaker, although the aphid samples contained the virus as demonstrated by RT-PCR. None of the BMYV or BChV isolates was transmitted by Aphis fabae or Myzus ascalonicus. In attempting to correlate biological properties with molecular variations, the RT proteins were sequenced. Some amino acid point variations, presumably affecting aphid transmissibility, were identified.     

Immunomodulatory effect of dietary brewer’s yeast extract in Sander lucioperca juveniles against the challenge of Aeromonas salmonicida

The present study examined the influence of extract obtained from the interior of cells of yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae (NuPro^®), on the growth, proximate composition, nonspecific cellular and humoral defense mechanisms, and protection against furunculosis in pikeperch (Sander lucioperca). It was noted that eight weeks of supplementation with 40 g of NuPro^® kg^?1 feed (containing approximately 0.22 % exogenic nucleotides) enhanced pikeperch innate immunity. Increased serum lysozyme activity and total Ig levels (P < 0.05) were noted in the NuPro^®-fed group, which indicated the activation of nonspecific humoral defense mechanisms. Brewer’s yeast extract also stimulated nonspecific cellular defense mechanisms as indicated by the increased metabolic activity of blood phagocytes and pronephric macrophages, and in the increased intracellular killing activity of phagocytes and proliferative responses of T and B lymphocytes (P < 0.05). Additionally, reduced mortality (15 %) after the in vivo challenge with pathogenic Aeromonas salmonicida suggested that NuPro^® activated nonspecific protection against furunculosis in pikeperch. The experimental feed did not have a significant impact on the growth or proximate composition of the fish (P > 0.05).     

Effect of the relative time of emergence on the growth allometry of Galium aparine in competition with Triticum aestivum

The impact of the relative time of emergence on the growth allometry of Galium aparine L. (cleavers) in competition with Triticum aestivum L. (spring wheat) was studied in a greenhouse experiment. The hypothesis that changes in growth allometry, particularly in the leaf area/height ratio, caused by a shift in the relative time of emergence, could lead to plants overcoming the competition or to competitive suppression was tested. The plant height, dry weight, total leaf area and vertical distribution were analyzed during the first 83 days of growth. The late emergence of G. aparine substantially influenced the growth dynamics for the dry weight and total leaf area. The dynamics of height growth were affected only following a significant delay in G. aparine emergence. The ratio of dry weight to total leaf area was almost unaffected by the competition. By contrast, the allometric relationship between the plant height and total leaf area was highly sensitive to the relative time of emergence. The results suggest that height is the most important growth trait for the plants to resist increasing competition. Even though the plants responded to competition with elongation, the physiological costs linked with “shade avoidance” caused reductions in the dry weight and leaf area growth that resulted in the total suppression of the late‐emerging individuals, in particular when their emergence was >10 days after that of the crop.     

The antioxidant system of seminal fluid during in vitro storage of sterlet <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acipenser ruthenus</Emphasis> sperm

The role of the seminal fluid antioxidant system in protection against damage to spermatozoa during in vitro sperm storage is unclear. This study investigated the effect of in vitro storage of sterlet Acipenser ruthenus spermatozoa together with seminal fluid for 36 h at 4 °C on spermatozoon motility rate and curvilinear velocity, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance level, and components of enzyme and non-enzyme antioxidant system (superoxide dismutase and catalase activity and uric acid concentration) in seminal fluid. Spermatozoon motility parameters after sperm storage were significantly decreased, while the level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase, and uric acid concentration did not change. Our findings suggest that the antioxidant system of sterlet seminal fluid is effective in preventing oxidative stress during short-term sperm storage and prompt future investigations of changes in spermatozoon homeostasis and in spermatozoon plasma membrane structure which are other possible reasons of spermatozoon motility deterioration upon sperm storage.     

Effect of botanical insecticide Nimbecidine<Superscript>®</Superscript> on food consumption and egg hatchability of the terrestrial snail <Emphasis Type="Italic">Monacha obstructa</Emphasis>

In the laboratory, a commercial neem-based insecticide—Nimbecidine^®—was evaluated as a potential pest management tool for the terrestrial snail, Monacha obstructa (Pfeiffer, 1842) (Hygromiidae). Effects of different concentrations of the botanical insecticide on food consumption and egg hatchability of the terrestrial snail were studied. Generally, food consumption of immature and adult snails decreased as the concentrations of Nimbecidine^® increased. At the highest concentration (10 ml/l), the snails avoided contacting with food completely. The food intake of immature individuals was significantly (p < 0.05) more affected by the Nimbecidine^® treatment (at 1.25 ml/l) than that of adults. LC₅₀ of Nimbecidine^® for the treated eggs was 2.18 ml/l, and eggs failed to hatch at concentration of 10 ml/l. Nimbecidine^® showed sufficient biological activity against the food consumption and eggs viability of M. obstructa, thus the preparation has a potential to protect field crops from this pest snails.     

A screening method for simultaneous immunochemical detection of aflatoxins and ochratoxin A in cereals and feed]

An immunochemical method was proposed for simultaneous determination of aflatoxin and ochratoxin A with the use of mixed solutions of the following reagents: standards of both mycotoxins, antiserums against the mycotoxins, and radioligands of 125I-aflatoxin B1 and 125I-ochratoxin A. The result of the analytical procedure is the value of concentration of the aflatoxin + ochratoxin A sum in the sample. The procedure needs half the amount of reagents as separate determination of each of the two mycotoxin, and is far less laborious. The proposed simultaneous immunoanalysis is suitable for large-are inspection of grain and feed safety from the viewpoint of aflatoxin and ochratoxin A levels.